Dishwasher cabinet construction



DISHWASHER CABINET CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 1, 1950 ttornegs J. STANITZ DISHWASHER CABINET CONSTRUCTION April 20, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. l, 1950 3 nventor Jacques Si'wni 73u w-Z l (Ittoruegs Patented Apr. 20, 1954 Jacques Stanitz, Warren, Ohio, lins Manufacturing Corporation, Salem,

assgnor to Mul- Ohio,

a corporation of New York ApplicationNovember 1, 1950, Serial No. 193,382

4 Claims. (Cl. V2220-15) Dishwashing Apparatus, led September 16, 1950.

In certain prior dishwasher cabinets, the dishwasher tub is supported or secured at its top end on the cabinet top or sink element. Accordingly, when it is desired to remove the cabinet top, this cannot be done without disturbing the tub and the dishwasher elements connected thereto, so that it becomes necessary to break all plumbing and electrical connections and disassemble the various components. For these reasons, the assembly or re-assembly of such dishwasher tub and cabinet is 'a somewhat diiicult and exacting operation. '1

Furthermore, it is desirable that the dish? washer tub be Vented to allow a portion of vthe vapors to escape during' the dishwashing opera# tion when the lid is closed, and such venting is most effectivelyY accomplished by providing a narrow annular vent between the tub andthe dishwasher top. In prior dishwasher cabinets having the tub supported on the cabinet top, it is very difcult to provide for 'an annular -vent between the tub and the cabinet top and still obtain a sufficiently rigid supporting connection between the same. f y l It is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel dishwasher cabinet construction rigidly and detachably supporting the dish-y washervtub within the cabinet. 1

Another object is to provide a novel dishwasher cabinet rigidly supporting the dishwasher. tub independently of the cabinet top.

Another object is to provide a novel dishwasher cabinet rigidly supporting the dishwasher tub and independently supporting a top element havingv a continuous inner `rim portion extending within and spaced inwardly of the top portion` of the tub.

A further object is to provide a novel cabinet construction having novel means which detachably supports the dishwasher tub within the top portion of the cabinet and which also braces the cabinet to improve its rigidity.

A still further object is to provide a rigid and` lightweight dishwasher cabinet construction de tachably mounting the dishwasher tub for quick assembly and removability independently of the cabinet top.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and sub-combinations comprising the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in the accompanying drawings as exemplifying the best known mode of carrying out the invention, the invention being described in detail in the accompanying specification, and the scope of the invention being deiined in the appended claims.

In general terms, the dishwasher cabinet construction of the present invention includes front, rear and side wallv elements forming preferably a substantially rectangular cabinet, a tub support ring having outer portions secured to said wall elements within and below the top of said cabinet, said supporting ring having an inner annularflange, the upper rim of the dishwasher tub being detachably mounted on said flange, and there being a top member supported on top of the cabinet side wall elements and having' an inner annular rim ange extending downwardly withinthe top portion of said tub and spaced inwardly thereof to form an annular vent between said tub and said inner annular rim ange.

Referring to the drawings forming part hereof, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example:

Figure 1 is a front elevation, with parts broken away in section, of the novel dishwasher cabinet construction embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View', partly in section', Vas on line 2 2, Fig; 1;`

Fig. 3 is aA fragmentary plan sectional View as on line 3 3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as on line Il l, Fig. 2;

Fig'. r5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional v iew as on line 5 5, Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a verticalsectional view, as on line -Fs. 24.

Similar lnumerals refer to similar throughout the drawings.

, They novel cabinet of the present invention may be supported on a suitable base indicated generally at l, and the base may be of any suitable design and construction, and forms no part of the present invention. The novel cabinet preferably includes sheet metal vertical side walls parts Y 8 and 9, forming opposite sides of a substantially rectangular cabinet, the rear edges of the side Walls preferably being bent at right angles toward each other to form vertically extending flanges I and II extending from top to bottom of the side walls.

The front edges of the side walls 8 and 9 may be formed into ornamental corner portions I2 and I3, substantially-'S-shaped in-Y crossf section andl having recessed shoulder portions I2a and I3af terminating in angular vertically extending flanges I4 which have widened portions I4a, at

the top and widened portionsil4b .atthe botto-m...

The widened portions I 4b may be weldedto a sheet metal oor or platform-memberf'indicated' generally at I5, and as showrrin Fig: 3; the'floor member I5 is out to fit substantially within the ornamental members I2 and.- I3, and-may, have..

downturned iianges I6 (Fig. 6) engaging within the side wall members 8 and 9, thus rigidly-brac',- ing the side Wall members As shown in Fig. 6, the r,floor member i 5 mayg rest on .inturnedr angular flanges. Il'at the bottom edges'` of --the-siden wall` members 8 .and 9i' The top edges oftheside.Wallmembers Brand 9 are preferably provided with inwardly turned.

flanges I 8 providing shoulders for supporting the sinkv or cabinet top-indicated.generally` at I9;

As shown, the cabinet topI Smay include a con-- ventional splash back 2li-and a horizontal `rim portion 2i having` downwardly extending. outer:

Asshown inFiguS, horizontal gusset plates. 2.1` maybe securedas by, Welding. to thedianges I8..

and 2B vto tiethem togethenat .ther front corners( Likewise,` gusset angles- 28,v (Fig: 6) may-be se cured as Abyyveldingin therear. corners between the nvertical flanges ,I B-and I t and theitop` flanges.

I8` .at the rea-r edges thereonl Preferably. a-Dair of diagonal strap Vbraces .A 29 and 39. is .provided extending facrosstheback4 side ofthe;vv cabinet, said braces beingqgn'eferably-,spotwelded-.at their upper and lower-endsA vto .upper `and lower portions of the flanges- I9 and.- II. A rear.- reinforcing angle- 3! havingl a lower 'horizontal iiangerBIa: y

extends transversely betweenvthe-rear flanges -..-I and i! and has itsends-.spot welded thereto at points spaced below' thegusse-t -angles .28:

Af fro-nt irifmnting channeLSZ', extendshorizontally transversely :between the vertical anges I 4 ,A. immediately` .belowV the widened portions I yIl a.,^

and the ends 33 .of-.t-hewebof channel 32 preferably extend rearwardly and then outwardly bee.

hind the flanges;i4, and arespot weldedl thereto. The channel web may support a uppenfront parmiA 34. by means .of suitable-.bolts if extending through holes 35 in said channel. Also, the channel .32 vmay have a central recessed .portion-36 adapted for supporting-.aontrol mechanism opf-v erated byV a., knobv 3.1 located in, frontofan escutcheon plate 38 on said panel 34.,

A. strike :channel 3 S .extends horizontally transversely between the shoulders V.I2cL.f-and...l3r. beT hind the bottom,ofsaid'panel 34,- andthe ends 135 -of the web of said, channel preferably extend infrontof the vertical flanges I 4 and may bespot welded thereto. vThe channel 39 formsa strike or abutment foi-the upper edge of va (door 4I have ingV a handle 42...- The door4l ymay, befsuitably hinged on 4thefshoulder I3a for. swinging closely adjacent to the shoulder I2a of corner portion I2.

Thus the side walls 8 and 9 of the cabinet are rigidly connected at their bottom ends by the floor member I5, and at their upper ends by front channel 32 and rear angle 9|. The channel 32 may be termed a front wall element and the angle 3| may be termed a rear wall element. In addition,` theside walls-riandfSfare rigidly connected at their rear edges by diagonal *braces 29 and 30 and their upper rear corners are reinforced by gusset angles 28. Also, the upper front corners are reinforced by gusset plates 21, and the vertical flanges I4 at 'the front of the corner portions are rigidlyconnectedxto rthe strike channel 39 adjacent'theirltop ends and tothe door member I5 at theirfbottom ends.

This constructionv provides a solid and rigid cabinet independently of the cabinet top I9, which merelyv sets on the top ends of the side walls and Corner portions, andwhich may be detachably connected to the @widened portions 14a by depending-angle brackets llll spot welded to` the the present'invention. The sidewalls of the tub 4l are formed'at theirvupper endswithf an out'- turnedflange terminating in adownturned cir--v cumscribing flange 5I forming aU-shaped chanf nel, and the ange 5I in thecase of a round tub is round or annular.

The means for detachably supporting the tub 41 preferably includes aV ring member indicated generally lat 52 having a` centralopening formed 5I in the U-shaped channel.l The tub flange 5I andY rin-g flange 5S .are detachablyconnected to gether at circumferentially spaced points by bolts :54. Preferably the nuts 55 for the bo-ltsare welded or otherwise secured to the inner surface of A`therilanlge-Ein registerpwith the bolt. holes,- so that the-bolts can :easily be attached'or detached Without holdingthe nuts. As indicated inv Fig. 2, four boltsY 54 are located' adjacent thecorners of the cabinet-sofas to be easilyaccessi-ble. The inner annularnange of ring member 52 preferably curves outwardly downward and* merges with .a horizontal plate portiorr'56 having downturned outer angesf, The-two flanges 5l at opposite sides are secured as-byl welding to the` cabinet sidewalls 8 andr, therear fiange is welded-to therear angle-3| and preferably rests on' the i bottom leg. 3 l d thereof, and. front 'flanges 59 are welded to the-web of yfront channel 32 on oppositesides'of recessedportion @Band rest on the bottom--legor flange ofsaidl channel. As

shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the front corners'of the rigidlyl reinforcing the upper portionA ofthe.

f cabinet, in addition to the other biacingand re- .owever, other shapes and de-Y signs of tubs may be-usedwithin the scope-of by` an inner upstandinganrrular angeii tele-y scoped within` and engaging under-the tub iiange preferably folur rectangularly disposed sides witli inforcing means already described. Accordingly, the ring member 52 serves the dual purpose of reinforcing the cabinet and solidly mounting the tub.

IThe cabinet topI l5 may have an inner ledge or shoulder 63 on which a suitable lid (not shown) seats for closing the top of the tub during the dishwashing operation. As shown, the outer edge of said shoulder '63 may be connected to the rim portion 2l by a vertical flange 54 extending continuously around the cabinet top in the form of a rectangle with rounded corners. Obviously, the lid would be similarly formed to it within the ange 64.

The inner edge of shoulder t3 is connected to a downturned flange 55 extending continuously around the shoulder and cylindrical in form to t closely within the upper portion of the tub wall 48, thus defining the access opening to the tub. The flange S5 extends downwardly a substantial distance so as to extend well within the upper portion of the tub, and the botto-m edge of the flange is preferably turned radially outward toward the tub wall 48 so as to provide a narrow annular vent between the tube and cabinet top as indicated at 69. This vent is desirable to provide for the escape of vapors within the tub without allowing the washing medium to escape. Otherwise, the vapor pressure might build upwithin the tub and make it diicult to close the lid or tend to bulge the lid if it were locked in closed position.

In assembling the tub within the novel cabinet before the top I9 is applied, the tub is lowered within the top of the cabinet, which has the supporting ring 52 already welded in place, and the tub rim iiange 5I is engaged over flange 53. The tub is rotated to bring the bolt holes in flange 5i into register with nuts 55 and the bolts 54 are screwed into the nuts, whereupon the tub is solidly mounted within the cabinet. The top i9 may then be seated on the gasket 24, and the brackets 44 connected to flange portions I4a by bolts 45. If it should be desired to later remove the top i9, this may be done merely by removing bolts 45, without in any way disturbing the tub or tub mounting means.

The novel cabinet construction rigidly and detachably supports the dishwasher tub within the cabinet independently of the cabinet top having a depending inner rim flange extending within and spaced inwardly of the tub, and the tub supporting means also braces the cabinet to increase its rigidity. Moreover, the tub is mounted for quick assembly and removability in simple and lightweight cabinet construction.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use cf a preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In cabinet dishwasher construction, a rectangular sheet metal cabinet having front, rear and side wall elements rigidly connected together, certain of said wall elements being provided with inturned ilanges at their upper ends, a tub support ring means spaced below said inturned flanges rigidlyV secured to said cabinet wall elements, said tub support ring means being formed with a central opening and having an upturned flange surrounding said opening, a tub member having side walls formed at their upper ends with an outturned ange terminating a downturned circumscribing flange forming a Ushaped channel, said downturned tub flange being telescoped over said upturned tub support ring means flange with the ring means flange seated in the U-shaped channel, detachable means rigidly securing said telesccped upturned .and downturned flanges together, a cabinet top member having side rim flange portions terminating in inturned flange means resting on said inturned cabinet wall flanges and supported by the. cabinet walls independently of said tub and tub support ring means, and said cabinet top member being provided with a tub access opening formed by a downturned flange telescoped within the tub side walls and spaced inwardly therefrom forming an annular vent between the top member flange and the tub side walls.

2. The construction as dened in claim 1, in which the upturned flange on the tub support ring means is circular, in which the tub has circular side walls, and in which the downturned liange at the upper end of the tub side walls telescoped over the upturned tub support ring means flange is circular.

3. The construction as defined in claim 1, in which the front and rear cabinet wall elements comprise flanged members extending horizontally between the cabinet side wall elements, and in which the tub support ring means rests on the flanges of said front and rear horizontally eX- tending cabinet wall elements.

4. The construction as defined in claim 1, in which depending angle brackets are attached to the cabinet top member, and in which means is provided detachably connecting said angle brackets with certain cabinet wall elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,009,842 Jones Nov. 28, 1911 1,913,731 Skarstad June 13, 1933 2,024,952 Snyder et al Dec. 17, 1935 2,275,705 Wagner Mar. 10, 1942 2,342,995 Ballentine Feb. 29, 1944 2,533,524 Snider Dec. 12, 1950 

